Astoria Boys & Girls Club To Expand, Develop Housing

By Liz Goff

Officials at the Variety Boys & Girls Club in Astoria have announced plans to expand their facility to keep up with the club’s growing membership.

Preliminary plans call for a 100,000-square-foot, five-story building to replace the existing club at 27-12 30th Road, that will provide approximately three-times more space than is presently available for member activities, and development of a new, 14-story residential building bordered by 21st Street.

Plans show the residential building would provide at least 50-per cent affordable housing, with an undetermined amount of ground floor retail space.

The project is currently undergoing internal review by club board members and other interested parties. Plans for the residential portion of the project are awaiting certification by the City Planning Commission.

The two buildings would be connected via a central lobby area and several entrances, real estate experts said. Although attached, the club and the residential property would share only a minor connection.

Officials hope to break ground on the project in 2018, a club spokesperson said. It is still unclear if the existing club building would be demolished to make way for the newly expanded facility, the spokesperson said.

The construction phase of the project is expected to take two to three years to complete. The club would continue to provide after school and other programs to local youngsters throughout construction, the spokesperson said.